Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) Japan-Africa Youth Program 2026 for African Animation Professionals (Fully Funded to Japan)

Application Deadline: September 8, 2026

Applications at the moment are open for the 2026 JICE Japan-Africa Youth Program. Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) is happy to announce that, as part of the “Japan-Africa Youth Program”—a world change initiative promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan—JICE are organizing and implementing a Professionals’ Japan Visit Program for Co-creation (Animation Production) focusing on African anime creators. 

This program will invite 20 people working at anime manufacturing corporations in Africa to Japan for roughly 12 days, aiming to construct a powerful community with Japanese anime creators and associated organizations. 

JICE is at the moment calling for functions from corporations and organizations (up to 10 corporations in complete). Please notice that the utmost variety of individuals per firm is 2 (one firm government who will act because the decision-maker and one inventive skilled).

Japan-Africa Youth Program is a world change initiative aimed toward deepening mutual understanding between younger folks from each Japan and Africa by statement and cultural change. 

As part of this Inbound program, individuals are anticipated to achieve recent views by experiencing Japan’s superior expertise, wealthy tradition, and numerous social methods. The program seeks to empower them to develop as leaders contributing to Africa’s future growth and as people who, along with Japanese youth, will strengthen ties and co-create a sustainable future for each areas. 

A part of this Japan-Africa Youth Program is destinated to 20 younger professionals within the animation trade from Africa.  It affords alternative to uncover anime manufacturing websites or anime-related trade and academic establishments, aiming to encourage them and to foster connections between these professionals from Africa and Japanese corporations. It supplies individuals with Opportunities to deepen their understanding of Japanese values, mindset, and cultural heritage. 

Program period

December 6 (Sun) – December 17 (Thu), 2026 [Stay in Japan: Dec 7 – Dec 16]
※Please notice that the schedule is topic to change relying on flight preparations.

Number of individuals
Number of Participants: 20 individuals in complete (10 corporations x 2 individuals per firm: 1 Executive and 1 Creator)

Program Components

Online Pre-Exchange Program
All individuals are required to attend a web based pre-exchange program of their nations earlier than they depart for Japan. The on-line pre-exchange program might cowl the next.

• Online orientation (overview of this system, clarification of individuals’ roles, and team-building actions)

Qualifications for Participants
This program is designed for animation studios in Africa. An animation studio can nominate one in all its executives and one in all its creators. Applicants ought to meet the entire following standards.
Basic Requirements

• Understand the goals of the “Japan-Africa Youth Program”.
• Hold the nationality of one of many goal nations (member states of the African Union) and don’t maintain Japanese nationality.
• Be up to 39 years previous.
• Be in a position to talk in English or French or Japanese.
  ※In anticipation of future change and collaboration with Japanese companions after this system, proficiency in both English or Japanese is preferable.
  
  Personal and Professional Qualifications
• Be affiliated with an animation studio primarily based in Africa.
• Have a powerful curiosity in and keenness for the Japanese anime trade.
• Be in a position to collaborate with Japanese creators on animation manufacturing, together with in the course of the durations earlier than and after this system.
  
  Health and Physical Requirements
• Be in good bodily and psychological well being to take part in this system.
• Participants with a physique temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or larger on the day of departure is not going to
  be permitted to journey to Japan or take part in this system.

  Ineligibility Conditions

• In precept, people who reside in Japan, or have stayed in Japan for greater than twelve months aren’t eligible to take part

Cost and Support
(1) Expenses Covered by the Program
The following preparations and bills will likely be lined by this system:
a. International Travel (Flights are deliberate to depart from the worldwide airport within the capital metropolis.)
Round-trip economic system class worldwide air tickets between your nation of residence and Japan organized by JICE. (Excess baggage charges aren’t lined and should be paid by the participant.)

• Travel between the participant’s home and the designated airport shouldn’t be lined.
• The designated airport will not be the closest airport to the participant’s residence. In most instances, preparations will likely be made for the worldwide airport within the capital of the nation of residence.
• Participants should use the designated flight; modifications aren’t permitted even when self-funded.
  b. Accommodation in transit nations
  c. Domestic Arrangement in Japan
• Accommodation, transportation, and meals throughout this system
• Admission charges for scheduled actions
  d. Insurance Coverage
• Overseas journey accident insurance coverage

List of Application Documents 

（１）Application Guidelines 

（２）Letter of Understanding 

（３）Handling of Personal Information 

（４）Draft Standard Itinerary   

How to Apply

Application Deadline: Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 23:59 (Japan Standard Time – JST) 

Note: The application system will routinely shut at 23:59 JST. Please be aware of time zone variations when submitting your application. 

Please fill out the required info and submit your application by way of the shape hyperlink beneath: 

Application Form　

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the JICE Japan-Africa Youth Program